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The Sero-Prevalence of Parvovirus Antibodies among Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Zaria

H Ujo, AI Mamman, A Aliyu, GO Ogunrinde

 

Abstract

Parvovirus is an erythrovirus that infects red cell precursors in individuals with conditions characterised by a high red cell turnover like sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. Arthritis, vasculitis, carditis, bone marrow failure, and the slapped cheek appearance have been associated with Parvovirus B19 infection. Recurrent blood transfusion is a risk factor for the B19 serotype of Parvovirus infection, with the P antigen as the mediator for erythroid invasion presenting as transient erythroblastopaenia (TEB). Although TEB is self-limiting a few cases may progress to aplastic anaemia. Previous studies report seroprevalence rates of between 44 and 71%, but the dearth of data on the seroprevalence of B19 parvovirus strain in our region prompted this study. Venous blood samples from 239 children aged 1to 15 years of consenting parents and guardians were screened for Parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies using the ELISA technique and antibody titer assessed spectrophotometrically. All the participants have sickle cell anaemia, but were in the steady state. Of this serum samples from 204 (85.4%) participants were positive for IgG antibodies against Parvovirus B19 while 35 (14.6%) were negative for the IgG antibodies.). The age-group with the highest prevalence is 10-12year group with seroprevalence rate of 88.9%. The overall seroprevalence of Parvovirus B19 antibodies is 85.4 %. The seroprevalence of Parvovirus B19 antibodies is high in all socio-economic groups. Antibody prevalence is higher in the
non-transfused group suggesting that other factors than transfusion play a role in the spread of the B19 strain of Parvovirus B19.
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Evidence of Long Term Benefit of Praziquantel Treatment Against Schistosoma mansoni in Kigungu Fishing Village of Entebbe, Uganda

EI Odongo-Aginya, F Kironde, MI Lyazi, D Kyabayinze, H Sempewo, A Male, RC Oliveira, A Wilson

 

Abstract

Praziquantel (PZQ) is efficacious against all species of schistosome: Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma japonicum and other parasites like the Taenia species. This cross-sectional cohorts study was carried out in Kigungu fishing village along Lake Victoria shore in Entebbe Uganda. Our analysis was based on examining microscopically three slides from a single stool specimen from each of base line cohorts 945.These included children and adults, participants from both sexes in Kigungu fishing village in Entebbe Uganda. Nine hundred and one (901) of the cohorts were re-examined after six months and 625 of the same cohorts who were examined at the baseline and after six months were re-examined 18 months later. The slides were prepared using modified Kato/Katz (Odongo-Aginya) method. The infection proportion with Schistosoma mansoni at baseline was 448 (47.5%) but this was reduced to 244 (25.8%) 18 months after treatment with a single oral dose of praziquantel at 40mg/kg. However 495 (52.5%) were negative at the baseline study. The cure proportion after six was significant {(P=0.00), (OR4.63) CI at 95% (3.53-6.06)}. Similarly the cure proportion after 18 months was significant {(P=0.00), (OR2.2) CI at 95% (1.87-3.34)}. The force of re-infection after six months was significant {(P=0.0001), (OR 0.47) CI at 95% (0.31-0.71)}. Nevertheless the force of re-infection was not significant after 18 months {(P=0.766), (OR 0.95) CI at 95% (0.68-1.34)} eggs excretion did not reach the level of the pre-treatment intensity. The egg reduction was 69.3%. This was associated with age and pre-treatment intensity < 400 eggs per gram (epg) of faeces and age groups ≥ 30 years. The egg reduction also resulted in marked decrease in clinical symptoms in the participants. Our study suggests evidence of long-term benefit of praziquantel in Kigungu and that the re-infection occurred more commonly in younger age group than in the older patients.

Key words: Praziquantel; Schistosoma mansoni; Kigungu; Entebbe; Uganda.

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Evidence of Long Term Benefit of Praziquantel Treatment Against Schistosoma mansoni in Kigungu Fishing Village of Entebbe, Uganda

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Comparison of Dermatophytes and Other Agents of Human Dermatitis between Males and Females in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

C Aleruchi, AA Makinde, T Louisa, D James, SJ Shaibu, AOI Emenike

 

Abstract

Dermatophytes are a group of three genera of fungi namely Microsporum spp, Trichophyton spp and Epidermophyton spp that commonly cause infections of the skin, hair and nails due to their ability to utilize keratin in both man and animals. Dermatophytes and other agents of human dermatitis are believed to have gender predisposition because of the anatomical and physiological nature of these genders. A study was undertaken to compare the distribution of dermatophytes and other agents of human dermatitis in patients who visited the Dermatophilosis Research Laboratory, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State of Nigeria. A total of 1551 patients were involved in this study from 2003 to 2007; 823 of whom were males and 728 females. Samples collected were skin scrapping, nails, hair and pus exudates. They were processed according to standard procedures. Nine hundred and thirty two (60%) were positive for dermatophytes and other agents. Sporothrix schenckii (138 (12.4%)), Aspergillus flavus (128 (11.5%)), and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (112 (10.1%)), Mucor sp (105 (9.5%)) were the most commonly isolated fungi. Aspergillus flavus occurred more in males (74 (6.7%)) while Sporothrix schenckii was more in females (71 (6.4%)). More isolation was made from the head in males (185 (19.8%)) while in females more isolation was made from their limbs (150 (16.1%)). Males generally were more affected with skin infections than females.
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Evaluating the Efficacy of Topical Silver Nitrate and Intramuscular Antimonial Drugs in the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Sokoto, Nigeria

OO Igbineweka, FI Aghedo, O Idusuyi, NA Hussain

 

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a disease of public health importance in Nigeria, with high prevalence in the Northwest and Northeastern part of the country. The side effects of antimonial drugs {stibogluconate (SSG) and meglumine antimoniate} in the treatment of CL have often resulted in poor drug adherence and default by patients and possible drug resistance. The increasing default to follow-up and the significant side effects associated with antimonial therapy necessitated the dire need of alternative therapeutic modalities. Thus, this study aimed at comparing the efficacy of topical silver nitrate with the antimonial drugs in the treatment of CL. Methods: A total of 95 patients with clinically diagnosed leishmaniasis and parasitologically proven CL participated in the study after their informed-consent had been obtained. The treatment selection was optional to the participants. Sixty (63.2%) patients received alternative therapy of topical silver nitrate as a single dose while 35(36.8%) patients received antimonial therapy for 21 days at 20mg/kg body weight. Results: On day 30 of treatment, 68 (86.1%) lesions among patients on topical silver nitrate healed completely as compared with only 5 (6.8%) among those on i.m. SSG. There was no improvement in 25 (34.2%) lesions among those on i.m. SSG compared with only 1 (1.2%) lesion among those on topical silver nitrate. Overall, there was a  statistically significant difference in the cure rate among patients on silver nitrate as compared with those on i.m. SSG on the 21st and 30th days of treatment.(p<0.05). Conclusion: Topical silver nitrate therapy is an effective and better drug treatment for CL among this study
population.

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, efficacy, Silver nitrate, Sodium Stibogluconate, Sokoto

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Evaluating the Efficacy of Topical Silver Nitrate and Intramuscular Antimonial Drugs in the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Sokoto, Nigeria

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Reproductive Health Issues and Incidence of Some Reproductive Tract Infections among Muslim Women in Purdah In Jos-Nigeria

KB Tanyigna, JK Tanyigna, F Aremu, JO Adisa

 

Abstract

Candidiasis and Trichomoniasis are the commonest Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) amongst women in purdah in the capital city of Jos- Nigeria. Majority of these women (>68%) have primary education as the highest educational qualification and majority of them (>92%) are full time house wives. The study has also revealed that there is a high level (57%) delay in seeking for reproductive health needs , which were only remedied due to persistence of symptoms. This gives us the inference as to the myriad of sequalae that might have resulted in cases of asymptomatic RTIs. The most reproductive health needs of women in purdah are inadequate facilities in clinics/hospitals. This factor as well as other factors such as poor education, unilateral decision making by some men in purdah in matters of reproductive needs, misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the Qu’ran have immensely contributed to the increasing cases of RTIs among these women. These problems can be reduced to the minimum by educating both the men and the women in purdah with the best medium being the radio/television programs.

KEY WORDS: Purdah, Reproductive Health, Infection, Women.

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Reproductive Health Issues and Incidence of Some Reproductive Tract Infections among Muslim Women in Purdah In Jos-Nigeria

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Significance of Pyuria in the Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Y Mava, SY Timothy, SB Zailani, JP Ambe

 

Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children, especially in those with sickle cell disease, who are at higher risk of infections. It will be useful to have a simple test which can be used in resource limited health facilities as a means of screening such children for UTI with the view to instituting prompt treatment. This study is carried out to determine the usefulness of significant pyuria in detecting UTI in febrile children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Two hundred and fifty febrile children with sickle cell anaemia that attended State Specialist Hospital and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) were prospectively studied with their consent. Urine sample was collected using standard procedure, examined for pus cells and was cultured at the Microbiology laboratory of UMTH. The study showed UTI prevalence of 26%. Significant pyuria was found to have sensitivity of 55.4%, specificity of 77.8%, the efficacy of the test was 72.0% and the test has low positive predictive value of 46.8% in detecting bacteriuria in SCA patients. The significant pyuria observed in this study support its usefulness in the diagnosis of UTI among children with SCA especially in communities having limited facilities or personnel for carrying out urine culture.

Keywords: Sickle Cell Anaemia, Bacteriuria, Pyuria

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Significance of Pyuria in the Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Maiduguri, Nigeria

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Campylobacter Spp. Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in a Developing Country, Burkina Faso (West Africa)

L Sangaré, AK Nikiéma, S Zimmermann, I Sanou, M Congo-Ouédraogo, A Diabaté, S Diandé, PI Guissou

 

Abstract

Data on campylobacteriosis are almost nonexistent in Burkina Faso. In this study conducted from 2006 to 2008 in Ouagadougou, stool specimens and sociodemographic data were collected from 1 246 patients attending the university teaching hospital for enteritis. Stool samples were analyzed for the presence of Campylobacter by the direct culture method on selective mCCDA agar followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing on the isolated strains. The isolation rate of Campylobacter was 2.3%,comprising of the following species C. jejuni (51.8%), C. coli(13.8%), and C. upsaliensis (3.5%). However, 30.9% of the isolates were unidentified. No resistant strain was found to gentamicin. The resistance to amoxicillin+clavulanic acid (3.4%) was lower than those (10.3-34.5%) to the other antibiotics: erythromycin (10.3%), tetracycline (10.3%), ciprofloxacin (13.8%), amoxicillin (24.1%) and ceftriaxone (34.5%), nalidixic acid (34.5%). Significant associations were found betweenCampylobacter enteritis and contact with animals (P=0.03), and HIV infection (P<0.0001), in contrast to other sociodemographic and seasonal factors. From the data obtained Amoxicillin+clavulanic acid appear to be the first choice for treatment. The implementation of a national program may be helpful in controlling the spread of the disease and the increase of resistance to antibiotics.

Keywords: Campylobacter, epidemiology, HIV, drug resistance, Burkina Faso

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Campylobacter Spp. Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in a Developing Country, Burkina Faso (West Africa)

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Epidemiological Studies on Proteeae Isolates from Clinical Specimens in the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon

HLF Kamga, DS Nsagha, JCN Assob, AL Njunda, GNE Tchape

 

Abstract

The tribe Proteeae is a group of bacteria within the family Enterobacteriaceae and is responsible for most cases of nosocomial infections in hospital settings. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of members of Proteeae from clinical specimens in Laquintinie hospital in Douala. Specimens were collected from patients and screened for Proteeae using standard microbiological and biochemical methods (API 20 Enterobacteriaceae gallery). Of the 3414 clinical specimens made of 2712 urine, 264 blood, 243 CSF and 195 wounds and burns, 1136 (33.3%) yielded a positive bacterial growth, of which 230 (20.2%) were Gram positive and 906 (79.7%) were Gram negative. 164 (14.4%) isolates were identified as members of Proteeae of which 110 (67.1%) were from urine, 37( 22.6%) from wounds and burns, 10(6.1%) from blood and 7( 4.3%) from CSF. Speciation of the Proteeae isolates showed that 111 (67.7%) were Proteus mirabilis, 21(12.8%) Proteus vulgaris, 11 (6.7%) Providencia alcalifaciens, 6 (3.6%) Providencia stuartii, 4 (2.4%) Morganella morganii and 5 (3.0%) Proteus penneri and Providencia rettgeri. There was a significant difference between the type of clinical specimens and the age of patients (X2 = 52.623 p<0.05). Most Proteeae isolates where susceptible to imipemen, ceftazidine, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, ofloxacin and amikacin. These findings have significant clinical and epidemiological implications.

Keywords: Proteeae isolates, Clinical specimens, Laquintinie Hospital, Cameroon

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Epidemiological Studies on Proteeae Isolates from Clinical Specimens in the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon

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Viruses and Cancer

PA Adegboyega

 

Abstract

Viruses are ubiquitous and are also the pathogenic agents that are most commonly associated with neoplastic transformation of cells of several organs in human beings – thereby causing cancer of epithelial cells (carcinomas) or cancer of mesenchymal cells (leukemias, lymphomas and sarcomas) depending on the type and location of the infected host cell. This review highlights the six major groups of viruses that have established aetiological association with cancer in human populations. The epidemiology and the processes through which these pathogens cause malignant transformation of the infected host cells are discussed – with particular emphasis on the evolving and changing natures of the diseases as they parallel changes in human behaviours. Also discussed is a brief overview of the current understanding of molecular pathology as they emerge with the advent of new technological capabilities for studying these processes at subcellular (genomic) levels.

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Viruses and Cancer

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Reference Values of CD4-Lymphocyte Counts in HIV Seronegative Pregnant Women in Buea, Cameroon

RA Tanjong, J Atashili, HLF Kamga, G Ikomey, NT Akenji, MP Ndumbe

 

Abstract

Pregnancy is a physiologically immunocompromised state, during which alterations in T-lymphocyte subsets may occur. Reference values for CD4 counts in pregnancy have not been established particularly in sub-Saharan populations. This study aimed at describing expected (‘normal’) values of CD4 counts in healthy HIV-negative pregnant women so these could serve as reference for assessing the progress of HIV disease in HIV-infected pregnant women. The study was conducted in antenatal clinics in the Buea Health District, Cameroon. All eligible women were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Whole blood samples collected were tested for HIV using Determine 1/2 and SD Bioline HIV-1/2 3.0 rapid tests. The CD4+ absolute counts were assessed using the Partec Cyflow Counter and the CD4 easy count kit. A total of 279 women were analysed. Their ages ranged from 15 to 47 years. A vast majority (95%) of participants were in the second or third trimester of gestation. Slightly less than half (43%) were primiparous. The CD4 cell count ranged from 321 to 1808 cells/μl . This distribution was approximately normal with a mean of 851cells/μl, a median of 831cells/μl , and a standard deviation of 254cells/μl . The expected (‘normal’) range, covering 95% of the sample was 438-1532 cells/μl. Participants with malaria parasitaemia tended to have a lower CD4 count (lower on average by 115 cells/μl, P<0.001). CD4 cell counts in HIV-negative pregnant women appear similar to those of the general population of HIV-negatives. These values can thus be used as references when assessing HIV-seropositive pregnant women.

Keywords: CD4 counts, HIV-negative, pregnancy

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Reference Values of CD4-Lymphocyte Counts in HIV Seronegative Pregnant Women in Buea, Cameroon